Canada and Ontario invest over $3.8 million to support two recreation and cultural facilities in North York
Toronto: Across the country, Canadians are feeling the impact of COVID-19, on their families, their livelihoods, and their way of life. Together, Canada and Ontario are working to reduce the impact of the pandemic, ensure health and safety, rebuild businesses, and promote job creation, growth and investment.
Today, Ali Ehsassi, Parliamentary Secretary to the Federal Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry (Innovation and Industry) and Member of Parliament for Willowdale, on behalf of the Honourable Catherine McKenna, Federal Minister of Infrastructure and Communities; the Honourable Stan Cho, Ontario’s Associate Minister of Transportation and Member of Provincial Parliament for Willowdale, on behalf of the Honourable Kinga Surma, Ontario’s Minister of Infrastructure; His Worship John Tory, Mayor of the City of Toronto; and Peter Fuchs, Chairperson of the North York Seniors Centre, announced joint funding to improve the accessibility of the Meridian Arts Centre and the North York Seniors Centre.
The Government of Canada is investing over $2 million in accessibility improvements to the Meridian Arts Centre through the Community, Culture and Recreation Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada plan. The Government of Ontario is providing nearly $1.7 million, and the City of Toronto is contributing more than $1.3 million.
The project involves a number of accessibility improvements to the theatre seating areas and workspaces at the Meridian Arts Centre to better meet community needs. In the Lyric Theatre, the George Weston Recital Hall and the Greenwin Theatre accessible seating will be added and expanded. Other improvements include the conversion of a control room to a barrier-free workspace, the addition of a lift to allow access to the stage from the orchestra level, and the installation of an elevator for better access to seating areas and to the control room for employees. Once complete, all patrons of the arts, including those living with disabilities will be able to participate in all cultural experiences that the Meridian Arts Centre has to offer.
The Government of Canada is investing over $66,000 for the renovation of a fitness centre washroom and changeroom at the North York Seniors Centre through the Community, Culture and Recreation Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada plan. The Government of Ontario is providing over $55,000, and the North York Seniors Centre is contributing more than $44,000.
With this funding, an accessible changeroom for users of the fitness centre will be created and an existing bathroom will be renovated to meet the requirements of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act. This project will help improve access to modern recreational infrastructure and better meet the needs of the community.
All orders of government continue to work together for the people of Ontario to make strategic infrastructure investments in communities across the province when needed most.